Tag Archives: Picture book

You might know the work of James Stevenson whether you are a child or a grown-up. He was a cartoonist at the New Yorker for many years. He also illustrated books for children, including his own stories and poetry, poetry by Jack Prelutsky, and stories about “The Pain and the Great One” by Judy Blume. We would be happy to help you find his work in our collection or place a hold on titles available at another library.

Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education by Raphaële Frier; illustrated by Aurélia Fronty.
Describes how a young Pakistani activist was violently targeted by the Taliban for her efforts to secure educational rights forgirls.

Miss Mary Reporting: The True Story of Sportswriter Mary Garber by Sue Macy; illustrated by C.F. Payne
Details the life and accomplishments of Mary Garber, the first woman to win the Associated Press Sports Editors’ Red Smith Award and to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Sportcasters and Sportswriters Association.

Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang; illustrated by Jordi Solano
This picture book biography follows the life of Eugenie Clark, the Japanese-American scientist, researcher, and diver, who became famous as “The Shark Lady” for her groundbreaking discoveries about shark behavior.

“The tree in the courtyard was a horse chestnut. Her leaves were green stars; her flowers foaming cones of white and pink. Seagulls flocked to her shade. She spread roots and reached skyward in peace.

“The tree watched a little girl, who played and laughed and wrote in a diary. When strangers invaded the city and warplanes roared overhead, the tree watched the girl peek out of the curtained window of the annex. It watched as she and her family were taken away—and when her father returned after the war, alone.

“The tree died the summer Anne Frank would have turned eighty-one, but its seeds and saplings have been planted around the world as a symbol of peace. Its story, and Anne’s story, are beautifully told and illustrated in this powerful picture book.” -Random House

Tu Bi-Shevat (also spelled Tu Bishvat or Tu B’Shevat) is a Jewish holiday sometimes called the New Year of the Trees or “Jewish Arbor Day.” This year it begins at sundown on February 10. It is a time to appreciate trees (and plant them, if you live where the climate is right at this time of year). You can click on links above to see other stories and information about the holiday in our collection.

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award, recognizing an African-American author and of outstanding books for children and young adults

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults

The book already won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature in November. You might have heard Representative John Lewis give an emotional acceptance speech, in which he recalled “I remember in 1956 when I was 16 years old, going down to the public library, trying to get library cards, and we were told that the libraries were whites-only and not for coloreds…To come here and receive this award — it’s too much.”

Finding Lincoln by Ann Malaspina
In segregated 1950s Alabama, Louis cannot use the public library to research a class assignment, but one of the librarians lets him in after hours and helps him find the book that he needs. Includes an author’s note with historical information about library segregation in the South.

Goin’ Someplace Special by Patricia McKissackIn segregated Nashville during the 1950s, a young African American girl endures a series of indignities and obstacles to get to the public library, one of the few integrated places in the city.

Ron’s Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corinne Naden
One summer day in 1959, nine-year-old Ron McNair, who dreams of becoming a pilot, walks into the Lake City, South Carolina public library and insists on checking out some books, despite the rule that only white people can have library cards. Includes facts about McNair, who grew up to be an astronaut.

Poet Eve Merriam would have been 100 years old today. She is known for writing everything from children’s picture books to poems for adults. Here are some of her books that you can find at the library; her poems are also included in several poetry collections.

On My Street
This book is a good example of how families can make rhymes out of the ordinary people, places, and activities they see around them, like “Mr. Sklar washing his car” or “Pat at the laundromat.”

Ms. Merriam’s poems for older children are often playful. Here’s one from Blackberry Ink:

Cat cat cat on the bed,
Bed’s too soft, it jumps on my head.
Head head, head’s too hard,
Cat wriggles out into the yard.
Yard yard, cat slips away
Over to the playground where the children play.
Playground seesaw, who wants to ride?
Cat’s all ready on the other side

Spooky ABC features spooky illustrations by Lane Smith (you probably recognize his style from books like The Stinky Cheese Man).
A poem for each letter of the alphabet introduces a different, spooky aspect of Halloween.

Here are some new picture books for Passover, that range from sweet to silly to reverent.

Is It Passover Yet? by Chris Barash
One family prepares for the traditional seder that ushers in Passover.

The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah by Leslie Kimmelman
Oy gevalt! TheLittleRedHen likes baking matzah, but she’s not so crazy about doing everything herself. Would it be too much to ask her friends Dog, Horse, and Sheep to help plant and harvest some wheat for the delicious Passover treat? Couldn’t they at least help schlep the wheat to the mill? A recipe for matzah, a glossary of Yiddish words, and a note on Passover traditions is included.

Max Makes a Cake by Michelle Edwards
Max finds the perfect way to make a unique Passover surprise birthday cake for his mother. This title is also available as a downloadable ebook.

More than Enough by April Halprin Wayland
Illustrations and simple text portray children and their family as they prepare for, then celebrate, a Passover seder with foods, games, songs, and even a sleepover.

The Passover Lamb by Linda Elovitz Marshall
Miriam has especially looked forward to thePassover seder at her grandparents’ home because it is her first year to ask the four questions, but the unexpected arrival of triplet lambs complicates her family’s plans.

A Place for Elijah by Kelly Easton Ruben
“A family celebrates Passover, making sure they lay an extra place setting for the prophet Elijah. But when their neighbors lose power and stop by to get out of the cold, Sarah is worried that there won’t be a seat left for Elijah”– Provided by publisher.

A Sweet Passover by Leslea Newman
Miriam learns the meaning of Passover when her grandfather makes a special matzah dish. Includes recipe for matzah brei (similar to French toast, but with unleavened bread), and a glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish words used in the text.

Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told by Walter Dean Myers
“Details the extraordinary life and accomplishments of the activist, educator, writer, journalist, suffragette, and pioneering voice against the horrors of lynching who set out to better the lives of African-Americans long before the Civil Rights Movement.” – (Baker & Taylor)

Mumbet’s Declaration ofIndependence by Gretchen Woelfle; Illustrated by Alix DelinoisMumbet‘sDeclarationofIndependence tells the story of a Massachusetts slave from the Revolutionary era–in 1781, she successfully used the new Massachusetts Constitution to make a legal case that she should be free. This book has been made into a DVD and is also available as an ebook.

My Name is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth by Ann Turner; illustrated by James Ransome
“A vibrantly illustrated picture book introduction to the abolitionist and women’s rights activist narrates her rise from former slave to preacher and orator a century before the Civil Rights Movement.” – (Baker & Taylor)

Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney
“Presents the life of Sojourner Truth, discussing her childhood as a slave, the purchase of her freedom by a Quaker couple, and her subsequent work as an advocate and lecturer for the abolitionist movement.” – (Baker & Taylor)

When the Slave Esperança Garcia Wrote a Letter written by Sonia Rosa; illustrated by Luciana Justiniani Hees; translated by Jane Springer
A Brazilian woman sold away from her family wrote a letter to the governor–found hundreds of years later in an archive–to try to improve her situation.

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